captain swore at me like a pirate, and after I got sober triced me up to
the main rigging for a round dozen. When all hands were called to
witness punishment, shiver my timbers, if master Will Ratlin, who was
the first mate, didn't walk boldly up to the captain, and say, blunt and
honest:

"'Captain Brace, Marline is an old and favorite seaman, and if you will
let this offence pass without further punishment, I will answer for his
future good behaviour, at all times. I ask it, sir, as a personal
favor.'

"'But discipline, discipline must be observed, Mr. Ratlin.'

"'I acknowledge he's in fault, sir,' said our mate.

"'And deserves the punishment,' said the captain.

"'I fear he does, sir; but yet I can't bear to see a good seaman
flogged, said the mate, apologetically.

"'Nor I either,' said the captain; 'but Bill Marline deserves the cat,
though as you make it a personal matter, why I'll let him off this time,
Mr. Ratlin.'

"The captain didn't wish to let me go, but he said he wished to gratify
his mate, and so I was cast loose, and after a broadside of advice, and
a hurricane of oaths, was turned over to duty again. I didn't forget
that favor, messmates, and sink me if I wouldn't go to the bottom to
serve him any time. He commanded a brig in the South American trade
after that, and would have made a mate of me, hut somehow I've got a